Blind Dragon

Hidden away in Al Habtoor City’s The Atrium, which has ambitions to become one of the city’s buzzing new dining and nightlife hubs, Blind Dragon looks great.

An Asian-themed karaoke bar, it’s the brand’s second venture and its first outside Los Angeles. In California, the bar has been known to attract the likes of A-listers from Cara Delevigne to Sean Penn, Rihanna to Ryan Gosling (as well as Miley Cyrus and Kendall Jenner, but the less said there, the better). As yet, the Dubai nightspot is still working on its audience – having only been open a few weeks, it’s not always rocking, but there’s a lot to like.

Let’s start with the decor, which embraces the Asian theme with tongue firmly in cheek. Peruse comic book-style menus under the low, red lighting emitted from classic lanterns, and order unusual mixed drink combinations from staff wearing jackets emblazoned with kung fu icons’ names (there’s a statue of Bruce Lee just outside, too).

Low sofas and tables are dotted around the room, while long mirrors line the walls and a shipping container plays host to the DJ booth.

There are a variety of Asian hops on offer, while many mixed drinks are concocted with Asian flavours, herbs and spices. Considering the venue’s high-end positioning, the prices aren’t as steep as you might expect.

Since it’s a karaoke bar, there are a number of smart-looking private suites that you can reserve, each with a mind-blowingly varied and lengthy catalogue of songs. While the minimum spend may seem extortionate at a couple of thousand dirhams, split between ten of your best, warbling buddies, it feels that little bit less daunting.

You don’t necessarily need Rihanna’s pay cheque to enjoy this new singing spot.